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Shoyinka calls out Abiodun over Statisense Report, demands action on poor roads

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Olalekan Shoyinka, popularly known as Ayinla Egba, Convener of the United Premier Movement (UPM) has criticized the Ogun State Government over its failure to respond to a damning nationwide road quality ranking by Statisense.

On August 29, data analytics platform StatiSense released a report ranking Ogun State as having the worst road quality in Nigeria.

Nearly three weeks later, neither the government nor the Ministry of Works has reacted to the report.

In a strongly worded statement released on Thursday, Shoyinka described government’s silence as deafening and troubling, warning that the move could be seen as tacit admission and deliberate neglect.

“This is not a trivial statistic to be brushed aside. Road quality is the lifeline of economic activity, safety, and daily living for millions of our people. In Abeokuta, the state capital and across my senatorial district, many roads have become death traps, largely impassable, and damaging to vehicles and livelihoods alike.”

He said the government’s inaction is worsening the plight of farmers, small businesses, and commuters who face daily hardship navigating the state’s dilapidated roads. 

Shoyinka challenged the administration to clarify whether StatiSense’s assessment is true, explain why no official rebuttal has been made, and provide a concrete plan to reverse the ranking. 

He also demanded accountability for budgets and contracts reportedly allocated for road projects, warning that Ogun’s infrastructure must not be sacrificed for political maneuvering ahead of 2027.

Shoyinka also called on Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration to publish a time-bound road rehabilitation plan and prove that Ogun State is not being governed on autopilot.

He further queried whether the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun values transparent governance, or has all of its attention fixed solely on 2027 succession politics at the expense of urgent infrastructure needs.

“As 2027 approaches, the voting class will remember not only campaign slogans but also the tangible dividends of democracy or their absence,” he said. 

“Silence is no longer an option. The people are watching. The world is watching.”

As of press time, the Ogun State Government has yet to issue a statement addressing the StatiSense report.

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Crime

Your claims are inconsistent, Counsel faults alleged UNILAG Rape victim

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Counsel to Dr. Samuel Obinna Ojogbo, a lecturer at University of Lagos accused of raping a 20-year-old student, Finyinfoluwa Owonifari, Bidemi Ademola-Bello (SAN), has accused the alleged victim of falsely implicating his client.

Ademola-Bello made the allegation during the cross-examination of the complainant at the Lagos State High Court on Monday.

During the proceedings, the defence counsel argued that inconsistencies in the witness’s testimony suggested that the allegations were fabricated to tarnish his client’s reputation.

The counsel also questioned why the complainant allegedly destroyed a key piece of evidence in the case, adding that some of her responses contradicted her earlier statements.

When asked to identify a photograph of the alleged crime scene, the witness said she could not recognise it, although she claimed the office had no window.

The senior advocate further questioned her about statements she made at the Gender Unit of the Lagos State Police Command, which she confirmed making on September 2, 2025. She also acknowledged making two separate statements at the Bariga Police Station on August 28, 2025.

The statements were tendered before the court and admitted as exhibits without objection from the prosecution.

The defence also questioned the complainant about the clothes she wore on the day of the alleged incident, asking whether she had earlier told the police she wore black trousers and a short-sleeved multicoloured shirt on August 28.

She explained that when she visited the medical centre on August 22, 2025, the doctor only conducted a swab test and prescribed medication without carrying out further examinations.

The witness stated that she reported the incident to Dr. Abu, who subsequently contacted her uncle, adding that she reached out to him because he was a lecturer in her department.

When asked whether she had any personal relationship with Dr. Abu, she replied in the negative.

Meanwhile, she had previous phone conversations with Dr Abu earlier on that day as revealed by the call log she provided to the police despite testifying that she had only called Dr Abu for the first time when she reported the incident.

When asked how she got Dr Abu’s phone number, she said that the number was provided in class to everyone

Justice Ogala subsequently adjourned the matter until May 25 for further proceedings.

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News

NYCN condemns demands for impeachment of Abiodun, Mbah

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The Ogun state chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has faulted the Arewa Youth Assembly for demanding the impeachment of Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun and Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah over issues within the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), describing the move as misplaced and counterproductive.

The National Vice President of the Council, Comrade Kehinde Olorunjubelo, while briefing newsmen, Monday, stated that youth groups should not be drawn into internal party matters that have no bearing on the welfare of young Nigerians.

“Youths should not dabble into Progressive Governors’ Forum politics, and should not bastardize the youth constituency with this kind of politics influenced by the disgruntled elements”, he said

Olorunjubelo argued that the PGF is an internal APC structure with its own mechanisms for resolving disputes, and that using the name of northern youths to advance partisan interests undermines the credibility of youth advocacy nationwide.

He further stressed that young people should focus their energy on matters that directly affect their future.

“Youth should be involved in serious national issues rather than criticizing something that is not worth it”, he added

Meanwhile, the Ogun State Coordinator of the Commonwealth Youth Organization, Comrade Emmanuel Ojo in his remarks noted that governor Abiodun has been at the forefront of mobilizing support to ensure President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s victory in the 2027 general elections.

“The youth across Ogun State are fully mobilized and ready to demonstrate their solidarity with the President, with the Governor’s backing. Governor Abiodun has also set a clear target for the state’s votes, underscoring his determination to deliver a strong result for President Tinubu.

“There is no doubt that Governor Abiodun has been working consistently and effectively to advance the President’s agenda. His efforts deserve recognition, not dismissal.

“He remains 100 percent committed to supporting President Tinubu and ensuring Ogun State plays a decisive role in the next election cycle”, he said

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Education

St. Peter’s College 1971-1975 set celebrates landmark ’50+1′ reunion

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It was a weekend of nostalgia, reflection, and renewed commitment as the 1971-1975 set of Saint Peter’s College, Abeokuta, gathered for a three-day milestone event tagged “Reunion 50+1.”

The program, which concluded on Sunday, May 10, 2026, brought together classmates who have shared a bond for over 56 years, dating back to their entry into the then-all-boys institution.

The festivities reached a spiritual climax during a thanksgiving mass held at Saint John Catholic Church, Lafenwa.

The Parish Priest, Rev. Father Eric Olatunji, commended the septuagenarians for their enduring brotherhood.

In his homily, he urged the younger generation of Nigerians to emulate such spirits by identifying with their roots and consistently giving back to their alma mater.

Father Olatunji further enjoined the “Old Boys” to sustain their commonality, emphasizing that collective action is the most effective tool for personal development and the progress of their historic school.

On Saturday, the members returned to the hallowed grounds of Saint Peter’s College.

The visit served as a sobering reminder of the passage of time; the alumni observed that several school structures were in urgent need of intervention following damages caused by recent rainstorms in the Abeokuta metropolis.

Beyond inspecting the infrastructure, the set engaged in a mentorship session with current students, sharing professional insights and strategies for achieving academic excellence.


A major highlight of the visit was a lecture titled
“Time is Life,” delivered by a member of the set, Deacon ‘Dara Adebimpe, a veteran journalist and peace scholar.

Deacon Adebimpe advised the students on how best to utilize the time available to them, pointing out that time is a progressive, irreplaceable, and non-renewable commodity that never moves backward.

The event was well-attended by prominent figures, including the Principals of both the Senior and Junior Schools, the National President of the Old Students Association, Elder Tunde Oyenekan, and several members of his executive committee.

The social segment of the program featured a lavish buffet dinner at the Academy Suites, Abeokuta, where members were joined by their spouses.

During the reunion plenary session, the set took far-reaching decisions aimed at improving the welfare of their classmates and executing developmental projects for the college.

Saint Peter’s College holds a storied place in Ogun State’s educational history, as it was one of only two boys’ secondary schools in Abeokuta, before it was converted into a co-educational school in 1980 under the civilian administration of the late Chief Olabisi Onabanjo.

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